1.
clown; buffoon; jester
A person who acts foolishly or comically to entertain others. Can refer to a professional entertainer or someone behaving in a clownish manner.
彼はクラスの道化だ。
He is the class clown.
王様の前で道化が芸を見せた。
The jester performed in front of the king.
いつも道化を演じていた彼が、突然真剣な顔になった。
He always played the clown, but suddenly his expression turned serious.
2.
clowning; comic antics; buffoonery
The act of behaving comically or playing the fool for amusement.
いつも道化を演じていた彼が、突然真剣な顔になった。
He always played the clown, but suddenly his expression turned serious.
道化を演じる。
To play the fool.
彼女の道化ぶりに皆が笑った。
Everyone laughed at her clowning.
場の空気を和らげようと道化を演じたが、誰も笑わなかった。
I played the fool to lighten the mood, but no one laughed.
USAGE:
道化 can refer either to a person (clown, jester) or to the act of clowning. The compound 道化師 specifically means a professional clown or jester.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 道化を演じる (to play the fool)
- 道化師 (clown; jester)
- 道化芝居 (farce; clownish act)
CULTURAL NOTE:
In traditional Japanese performing arts, comic roles have a long history. 道化 is sometimes used to describe the comedic servant characters in 狂言 plays.